Eliphaz Speaks

Remember: who that was innocent ever perished? Or where were the upright cut off? As I have seen, those who plow iniquity and sow trouble reap the same. (Job 4:7-8 ESV). At this point we get the first of the replies of Job's three friends: Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar. These friends all come with the same solution to the problem, but they approach it in three distinct ways, according to their personalities. As I considered their responses, I dubbed them in terms that describe the approach each takes: Eliphaz the Elegant, Bildad the Brutal, and Zophar the Zealous. Eliphaz is the first speaker, evidently the oldest, for there is a smoothness about him and a courtesy, at least at the beginning, that indicates that he has learned to say unpleasant things in gracious ways. His argument is this: The righteous are never punished; only the unrighteous suffer. Where did you ever see an innocent man perish? he asks Job. Where did you ever see an unrighteous man succeed? His argument is, clearly, that Job's problem is caused by his own willful sin, something that Job is hiding. And this will be the basic argument all through the book: There is something wrong, Job. If you will only admit it, you'll be all right. I remember years ago picking up a Christian magazine that specialized in attacking men in public ministry, such as Billy Graham. The editor of the magazine said of Billy Graham, who had just had a certain illness, that it was a judgment of God on him because he associated with the wrong kinds of people. But what fascinated me was that in the next issue the editor announced that he himself had fallen and broken his leg! His explanation was that Satan was attacking him, trying to stop his God-given ministry! This is so characteristic of humanity. We all see clearly that the suffering of others is caused by their sin, while our suffering is always caused by something else. Eliphaz argues that if you just cast yourself on God's mercy, He will forgive you and restore you, and everything will be fine. You can be confident that you will be protected and kept, even to a ripe old age. Of course this is not the truth. Anyone who has lived a few years at all knows that you can find godly people who are not protected from troubles and who still go through times of trial and peril and suffering. Though his arguments sound like good theology, Eliphaz does not take in all the facts. That is why Job is given to us, that we might learn to correct our theology and to understand that sin is not the only reason for suffering. Suffering is both universal and personal. When we meet this reality the Scripture is the only real source of understanding. There we find the wisdom of God. If you are experiencing trial, go to Him! That is the person of your comfort.

Is It a Happy Birthday?

After this Job opened his mouth and cursed the day of his birth. And Job said: “Let the day perish on which I was born, and the night that said, ‘A man is conceived.’ Let that day be darkness! May God above not seek it, nor light shine upon it.” (Job 3:1-4 ESV). I love chapter three of the Book of Job. Here Job asks three very poignant questions. All of them deal with the meaning of life. Each one points us to the answer of whether our birthday really ought to be considered “happy.” The first one is, “Why was I ever born?” Job hopes his birthday will be forgotten. He is looking back to the day of his birth, and, although he cannot change it, he is saying, May its anniversary be ignored. Let it be a day that is darkened; let no one rejoice in it. Let it be a day of cursing instead of blessing. You can see at this point how his life has become so miserable that he longs for death. Even all that he has enjoyed in the past seems of no value in the face of this tremendous anguish that he must endure. Although Job comes very close to cursing God, he never does. He does curse the day of his birth, and he curses what God has allowed to happen. It is a typical reaction. If we could see some reason for what we have to go through, we think could endure it much more easily. His second question is, “Having been born, why didn't I die at birth?” Job views death as a time of rest, a period of solitude and quiet after the trouble of life. I think many people see death that way. At the end of the book, Job's view of death is quite different than it was at the beginning. We’ll see that more as we progress. Job's third question is, “Why can't I die now?” Job's is simply expressing a lack of understanding as to the purpose of his life. Of what use is a life that is so filled with misery that you can do nothing but suffer and feel anguish? My life produces only fear and trouble, so it would be better to end it now. Many people feel that way. I do not think Job is thinking of suicide; he is asking God to take him home. There is no purpose to life, he says, when it is not enjoyable. That is a very common argument, and one of the reasons we have been given this book is to help us understand that life can still have a great deal of meaning, even when it looks absolutely useless. I have found it very helpful, when facing difficulties in my life, to remember that God has given me my life as a gift. Further, he doesn’t give bad gifts to His children. That’s harder at some times than others, but it is true. It not only allows my understanding and faith to grow, it also gives me a clear picture of the difference between this world and the world He is preparing for me. When I see that, I can really have a HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Eat the Dessert First

So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD and struck Job with loathsome sores from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head. And he took a piece of broken pottery with which to scrape himself while he sat in the ashes. Then his wife said to him, “Do you still hold fast your integrity? Curse God and die.” But he said to her, “You speak as one of the foolish women would speak. Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil?” In all this Job did not sin with his lips. (Job 2:7-10 ESV). This may be one of the most pitiful scenes in the book. Job has lost all of his possessions; his children have all died; he is alone and lonely. Still he has not sinned. Satan comes back to God and receives permission to do anything to Job except take his life. He strikes him with “loathsome sores” – yuk! He gets some comfort by sitting in the ashes of the garbage fires and scraping the sores with a broken piece of pottery. Even his wife cannot bear to watch his pain. She suggests that he simply curse God. At least then God would strike him dead and end his misery. Job’s response is simple. In effect he is asking if we should only want the dessert of life and not the vegetables. I must confess that I would eat the dessert first if I could politely do so. In fact, I might eat only the dessert and not the main course if I could. Job returns to his conviction that both good and bad are useful in God’s hands and work together for our good. In this great sentence, he again reasserts the sovereignty of God. Job's wife had the philosophy that life ought to be pleasant, and if it were not, there was no use living it. But this book is given to show us that life is not to be lived on those terms. The reason we are here is not necessarily to have a good time. There are meaningful objectives to be attained in life, even when it all turns sour. When the pressure comes, when living is no longer fun, life is still worth living. A philosophy that wants to abandon everything as soon as things become unpleasant is a shallow, mistaken, distorted view of life. Job reaffirms that. “Shall we not take both good and evil from the hand of God?” We take His joy and His pleasure, the pleasant things of life, with gladness and gratitude. If God chooses to send something that is difficult, shall we then abandon that gratitude and begin to curse Him in protest because life is suddenly different than we thought it would be? The reason we are here is not merely that we might have a good time. God, in His grace and glory, does give us many hours of joy and gladness and pleasure and delight, and it is right for us to give thanks. But do not abandon that when the time of pressure comes, because that is what Satan wants us to do. He wants us to begin to complain and protest to God; to get upset and angry and resentful; to stop focusing on our eternal glory waiting for us. Sometimes meaning and purpose for our lives gets out of focus. Don’t despair; rather trust God. He won’t let you down.

Ouch!

Have you not put a hedge around him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. But stretch out your hand and touch all that he has, and he will curse you to your face.” And the LORD said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your hand. Only against him do not stretch out your hand.” So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD. (Job 1:10-12 ESV). The Book of Job reveals the true greatness of God. As we continue to look at some of the thoughts throughout the book, we must understand that God is in charge, and He will always be in charge. In my study of this book many have written that the central story revolves around a “heavenly war” where God and Satan are engaged in battle and Job is simply caught in the middle. Doesn’t it seem strange to you that in this war, one side must get permission from the other before it attacks? And yet that is the situation in this book of Job. Satan comes to God and asks permission to do something against Job. Now that is not a battle; it is not warfare; it is a test. That is what we need to see. Job's faith is the subject of a very rigorous test. Satan is the one who brings it about, but God permits it. I am forced to ask, “What about me?” I wonder what Satan is saying about me now and if he's asking permission to get me! If that is what you are thinking, my advice is, don’t worry; live one day at a time. For the thing this book tells us is that if Satan had his way, every one of us would always be in this kind of difficulty. Satan would tear us apart all the time if he could, not because he is angry with us, but because he wants to get at God, whom we serve. But God's protecting hand is over us. The hedge he places around us protects us and brings us great and wonderful blessings. While I may not know what the future holds, I do know where it ends. If my future holds some kind of testing or trial, it is only because, God knows what we can bear, and He will not put us to the test so severely that it will destroy our eternal hope. As we will see in the coming days, there are principles and lessons in every test that go far beyond the circumstances of the situation. These principles are what make this book so important to us. Today, I want to merely call your attention to one overarching truth. It is a simple call to gratitude. In the midst of the test, when we are stretched beyond what we think we can endure, taken far from what we dreamed our days might look like, give thanks for the amazing protection of God’s hand on us. Thank God for this marvelous hedge placed around you and that with every test comes the strength to endure. When life gives you a huge “ouch!” give thanks and rest in the enduring strength from the indwelling Spirit of Christ.

The Hedge

Then Satan answered the LORD and said, “Does Job fear God for no reason? Have you not put a hedge around him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. But stretch out your hand and touch all that he has, and he will curse you to your face.” And the LORD said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your hand. Only against him do not stretch out your hand.” So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD. (Job 1:9-12 ESV). What does Satan mean when he tells God that he has put “a hedge” around Job? It is a reference to favor and protection to be sure; but, what form does that take in practical life? It certainly means we have been given wisdom and direction from God that we might make good choices in our lives. The Scripture of full of directives and examples of both the right way and the wrong way to conduct our lives; however, I believe it goes a bit further. I think God takes a more active role in protecting His children. He hasn’t just given us an operator’s manual on life and said, “Good luck!” I think he has purposed his angels to watch over and care for us as well. We have guardian angels. These are personal angels who watch over our safety and direction. Every Christian does. There are several references that point to this truth. "The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him, and delivers them" (Psalm 34:7). "For He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways (Psalm 91:11). "Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?" (Hebrews 1:14 ). Maybe you have met an angel (the Scripture does say we “may have entertained angels unaware). If you have, you probably wouldn't know it. Typically they do not reveal themselves to us. However, they are there. Jesus made it clear when He said, "Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven" (Matthew 18:10). This is reassuring, knowing how easily children can get themselves into trouble. We can know that angels are involved in our lives. And angels are involved in the lives of Christians. We have angelic activity around us every day. Angels are at work in our lives, protecting us, guiding us, and sometimes even speaking to us. God cares enough for us that he places “a hedge” around us with many sources. This won’t make us immune to bad choices, but it does give us the ability to overcome every temptation. Thank him for his protection and trust in him alone!

Consecrate Them

There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job, and that man was blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil. There were born to him seven sons and three daughters. He possessed 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 yoke of oxen, and 500 female donkeys, and very many servants, so that this man was the greatest of all the people of the east. His sons used to go and hold a feast in the house of each one on his day, and they would send and invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them. And when the days of the feast had run their course, Job would send and consecrate them, and he would rise early in the morning and offer burnt offerings according to the number of them all. For Job said, “It may be that my children have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts.” Thus Job did continually. (Job 1:1-5 ESV). We’re back in the Book of Job today; however, I have chosen a verse that is rarely used. We are told about the righteousness of Job and his wealth; we are given the information about his children and his servants. All of this background serves to set the stage for the accusation of Satan before God that ultimately leads to the severe trials in Job’s life. We should not miss the reference to Job’s further description as a parent. We are told how he rose early to offer sacrifices for each of his children on the off chance they might have sinned. That description is a bit foreign to us in that we don’t abide by the sacrificial system of that day. However, we should see it as a consistent lifestyle of modeling the godly life of a believer and continuous prayer on the part of this righteous father for his children. We can never underestimate the influence we have over our children in these two areas. I recently read a story about a young Jewish family. The young Jewish boy asked his father, "Why must we surrender our Jewish faith and start to attend Lutheran services here in Germany?” The father replied, "Son, we must abandon our faith so that people will accept us and support our business adventures!" The young boy never got over his disappointment and sorrow. His faith in both his father and his religion were crushed in the name of expediency. When left Germany he went to England to study at the British Museum where he formed his philosophies for life. From those intensive investigations he wrote a book that changed the world called, "The Communist Manifesto.” From that book one-third of the world fell under the spell of Marxist-Lenist ideology. The name of that little boy was Karl Marx. He influenced billions into a stream that for 70 years ruined, imprisoned and confused many lives. The influence of this father's hypocrisy multiplied in infamy. Commit yourself to a godly example and consistent prayer for your children. It is a part of a “blameless and upright” life. This is how we lead them in consecration.

I'm OK

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. (John 10:11-16 ESV). I'm OK, You're OK by Thomas Harris is one of the best selling self-help books ever published. It is promoted as a practical guide to Transactional Analysis as a method for solving problems in life. From its first publication during 1969, its popularity gradually increased until, during 1972, it made the best seller list and stayed there for almost two years. It is estimated by the publisher to have sold over 15 million copies to date and to have been translated into over a dozen languages. Somehow I don’t think the Apostle Paul ever read this book and yet he seems to have found the answer. In the midst of all his tribulations, he had an amazing calm in the midst of this storm. It is a lesson we should all learn. Perhaps the most important principle he learned was that he belonged to God. Our reading today is so clear about that truth. Over and over in Scripture, we are given the analogy of being in a relationship with God like that of a bride to a husband to whom she is deeply in love with. This reminds us of His affection and love toward us. But we are also given the analogy of a sheep belonging to a shepherd in our reading today. This reminds us of His constant care and awareness of our whereabouts. I must admit it's hard to be proud about being compared to a sheep. They are basically defenseless, vulnerable, dim-witted creatures. But when under the care of a loving shepherd, they are safe and content. I like that! There are many other images used in the Scripture. All of them point to the unalterable fact that God cares for us. Whether we are His bride, children, sheep, or property, the devil must respect that label. When you find yourself wondering if you’re OK, just remember that like Paul, you too can say, "I belong to God!" There is no safer position in all of creation.

Shaken

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. (James 1:2-4 ESV). Someone recently asked me why I was doing so many devotionals from the life of Job. Part of the reason is that I have been drawn to its message over the last few months. I have read it several times; however, as I prepare to preach through it, I have dug more deeply than ever before. It is a wonderful book for our contemporary lifestyle. The basic message is that God is in control of all circumstances that surround the believer. The devil can do nothing in the life of the believer without the express permission of God. I find it true in the life of Job and in mine that when my faith is shaken, it only becomes more unshakeable. The truth is that a faith that cannot be shaken is a faith that has been shaken. And if your faith is real, it will even endure through the worst of circumstances, because character is not made in crisis; it is revealed. For example, when tragedy struck Job, we find him worshiping God, but we find his wife saying, "Are you still trying to maintain your integrity? Curse God and die" (cf. Job 2:9). Trials, temptations, and crises separate the wheat from the chaff, the true from the false, and the real from the unreal. Our reading today makes this strong statement that suffering helps us grow spiritually and makes us stronger in our faith. Suffering takes our faith from the realm of theory to reality, and suffering brings glory to God. Anyone can be happy when the sky is blue and the sun is shining. But when a storm is hitting, it is a different matter. Satan claimed that Job only worshiped God because God was blessing him. But Job proved that he really did love God, because he worshipped Him before, during, and after the crisis. Somerset Maugham, the English writer, once wrote a story about a janitor at St. Peter’s Church in London. One day a young vicar discovered that the janitor was illiterate and fired him. Jobless, the man invested his meager savings in a tiny tobacco shop, where he prospered, bought another, expanded, and ended up with a chain of tobacco stores worth several hundred thousand dollars. One day the man’s banker said, “You’ve done well for an illiterate, but where would you be if you could read and write?” “Well,” replied the man, “I’d be janitor of St. Peter’s Church in Neville Square.” God allowed the tragedy in Job's life to strengthen his faith and bring good to him. What a powerful example for us today.

Which Way Do We Go?

And the Pharisees and Sadducees came, and to test him they asked him to show them a sign from heaven. He answered them, “When it is evening, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.’ And in the morning, ‘It will be stormy today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times. An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah.” So he left them and departed. (Matthew 16:1-4 ESV). Mary and I are soon leaving to go to Washington D.C. We have both been a few times. I do clearly remember Dupont Circle. It was a nightmare trying to follow the signs and still blend with traffic! Fortunately, no one hit us and we didn’t hit anyone either! The signs were so hard to read. You may feel that way about the future, especially as it relates to prophecy and the Second Coming. That is the context of our reading today. One day, the Pharisees and Sadducees approached Jesus together, which was quite remarkable, because these two groups didn't get along. They didn't mix. They didn't hang out together. They were polar opposites on the theological spectrum. But the one thing they had in common was their hatred for Jesus. So they came to Him to test Him and demand a miracle. Now they had already seen numerous miracles. They had seen Jesus cast out demons and calm storms and heal the sick and feed thousands of people and even raise the dead. Yet they had the audacity to demand another sign. Interestingly, Mark's Gospel, commenting on this same event, tells us that after they said this to Jesus, He sighed deeply (cf. Mark 8:12). After all Jesus had done, after all of the miracles He performed, they were coming to Him and demanding another sign. Jesus told them they could look at the sky and read the weather for the future, but they couldn’t read the clear signs before them concerning the things they were supposed to be proficient in doing. They were the religious leaders of their day and yet they couldn’t read those signs at all. Many of us fall into that category. We anxiously look at the weather channel or the forecast on our local news station in the hope of knowing what the weather will do tomorrow, yet we don't give a single serious thought about our spiritual future. However, being prepared for the coming of Christ is so much more important than being prepared for tomorrow’s weather. We need to pay attention to the signs of the times around us so that we will be fully ready for Christ's return. What have you done to prepare for Him? Perhaps today you should begin at the beginning. Accept the grace of his redemptive work in your life and begin to grow so that you can reflect that grace for others to see today.

Grace and Faith

And Jesus went away from there and withdrew to the district of Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a Canaanite woman from that region came out and was crying, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David; my daughter is severely oppressed by a demon.” But he did not answer her a word. And his disciples came and begged him, saying, “Send her away, for she is crying out after us.” He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” But she came and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, help me.” And he answered, “It is not right to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs.” She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table.” Then Jesus answered her, “O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed instantly. (Matthew 15:21-28 ESV). Faith is often found in unlikely places. The Bible tells the story of a pagan woman whom Jesus commended for her great faith. She was not raised as a Jew, knowing the Scriptures. She certainly did not have the privilege of walking and talking with Jesus as the disciples had. This woman had been raised in a godless home, in a home filled with idols. But with what little she knew about Jesus, she applied dramatic faith. We could even describe it as amazing faith. One would have thought that the strongest faith would have come from one of Jesus' disciples like Peter, James, or John. But it came from this pagan woman. The only other time Jesus called out someone's faith as an example was when a Roman centurion—another Gentile—asked Him to heal his servant. I have heard it said that when a person works an eight-hour day and receives a fair day’s pay for his time, that is a wage; when a person competes with an opponent and receives a trophy for his performance, that is a prize; and, when a person receives appropriate recognition for his long service or high achievements, that is an award. But when a person is not capable of earning a wage, can win no prize, and deserves no award, yet receives such a gift anyway, that is a good picture of God’s grace. We did not earn it; we did not win it; and we did not achieve it. God gave it to us out of the mercy of his heart. The wonderful truth in this principle is that when God gives it, no one can take it away from us; nor can we lose it ourselves. I like what Richard Baxter has said: As we paid nothing for God’s eternal love and nothing for the Son of His love, and nothing for His Spirit and our grace and faith, and nothing for our eternal rest...What an astonishing thought it will be to think of the unmeasurable difference between our deservings and our receivings. O, how free was all this love, and how free is this enjoyed glory...So then let “Deserved” be written on the floor of hell but on the door of heaven and life, “The Free Gift”. Thank God for his grace!

Advance to Go

Now when Jesus came, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb four days. Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles off, and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to console them concerning their brother. So when Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, but Mary remained seated in the house. Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.” Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.” Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” She said to him, “Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.” (John 11:17-27 ESV). When Faith and Logan were staying with us last week, we were able to play Monopoly. I must confess I was soundly beaten. However, I did remember something that became of interest. While playing I drew from the Chance Cards an “Advance to Go (collect $200)” card. Of course I was delighted. It put me ahead of the board and gave me more capital to work with. I don't know about you, but I always like being first and getting a reward too! Imagine that you are standing in the hot Texas sun, waiting for Six Flags. You are far back in line, and it seems to be taking forever. Suddenly, a man comes to you and identifies himself as the owner of the park. He invites you to step ahead of the line and get in the park before everyone else. Would you be happy about that? Of course you would, though I'm sure the other people waiting might resent that a bit. That's how it is when a Christian dies, whether it is unexpected or not. They get to go ahead of the rest of us, not to Six Flags, but to heaven! Getting into heaven is a privilege, not a punishment. It's a promotion, not a termination. Death means a crown of victory. When those whom we love die, our deepest regret is we didn't get to go with them. We should not think of our loved ones in heaven as being “gone.” That word is taken from the vocabulary of death, and it implies that the loved one no longer exists, which could not be more false. This is certainly the hope that Jesus points Mary and Martha to as they grieved the death of their brother in our reading. Lazarus drew the greatest “card” of life. God told him to advance to heaven, collect eternity! This is the great hope of the Christian! Though we grieve, encourage one another by remembering the gift God gives His children in death.

What Do You Have?

Now when it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a desolate place, and the day is now over; send the crowds away to go into the villages and buy food for themselves.” But Jesus said, “They need not go away; you give them something to eat.” They said to him, “We have only five loaves here and two fish.” And he said, “Bring them here to me.” Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass, and taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing. Then he broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. And they all ate and were satisfied. And they took up twelve baskets full of the broken pieces left over. And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children. (Matthew 14:15-21 ESV). I heard of a little boy who was asked what his favorite Bible story was. He said, "I like the one where everyone loafs and fishes." That is not exactly what happened with the Feeding of the Five Thousand, but it is a great story. Jesus was at the peak of His ministry during this time, and His popularity was spreading. Multitudes of people were anxiously following Him. A large crowd had gathered to hear Him, and they were hungry. We don't know a lot about the little boy with his loaves and fishes whom Andrew brought to Jesus. We don't even know his name. But we do know he was poor, because he had barley bread, the cheapest of all bread. He also had two small fish. He didn't have a lot to bring to the table. But that little boy gave what he had to Jesus. In the same way, God wants us to bring what we have to the table. This boy gave his lunch, as poor as it was, to Jesus. This lunch was as insignificant as it could be. And this boy was as insignificant as he could be. But that which was insufficient from the hands of the insignificant became sufficient and significant when placed in the hands of Jesus. It is not what you bring. It is whom you are bringing it to. God can do a lot with a little. And sometimes those who have the least are willing to give more, because they recognize that if anything good results, it has to come from God. So bring what you have. God can take it, bless it, and use it to touch many. What makes a gift great in God's service? It is not the magnitude of the gift. It is into whose hands the gift is given.

Little Man before a Big God

And the LORD said to Job: “Shall a faultfinder contend with the Almighty? He who argues with God, let him answer it.” Then Job answered the LORD and said: “Behold, I am of small account; what shall I answer you? I lay my hand on my mouth. I have spoken once, and I will not answer; twice, but I will proceed no further.” (Job 40:1-5 ESV). Our reading today is very forthright. God is telling Job that he simply doesn’t have the qualifications to question him. Don’t misunderstand. I am not saying that asking “why?” is unacceptable to God. When Job went before the Lord, as any person should do when they are suffering, he asked the question why. And there is nothing wrong with asking why. I have asked why many times. There is nothing wrong with asking why as long as you don't get the idea that God somehow owes you an answer. We don't always know why. And I don't even think there is anything wrong with saying, "I don't like or agree with this plan." In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus prayed, "My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine." (cf. Matthew 26:39). Go to God with your whys. Go to God with your doubts. Go to God with your struggles. But ultimately, we need to say to the Lord, "Yet I want your will to be done, not mine." Job went off the rails when he asked a lot of questions and then he started giving his opinions, trying to explain things away. Finally, God had enough. He asked Job, "Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding" (cf. Job 38:4). Effectively He was saying, "Well, Job, you are such an expert now! Will you tell me what is going on? I don't remember seeing you around when I was creating the universe." You know, it’s interesting that God never told Job why. Instead, He just revealed more of himself to Job. More than an explanation, what we really need is an encounter with God, an understanding of our relationship with God. Because when we see God for who He is, we see our problems for what they are. We have a great and mighty God. We, on the other hand, are neither great, nor mighty. Like Job we should come to the end of ourselves so that we can get a beginning with God. American pastor and author James H. Brookes told of visiting a friend’s house and hearing the music of a bird singing. It was not the ordinary sound of chirping; instead it resembled the strains of a lovely melody. At first Brookes didn’t know where it was coming from; but when he glanced around the room, he saw a beautiful bullfinch in a birdcage. The lady of the house explained that it had been taught to sing that way at night. The teacher would repeat the notes time and again until the bird was able to mimic them. But this was possible only because it was dark and the bird’s attention would not be diverted. How often we learn our sweetest songs when the blackness of trial closes in around us.

Naked and Bald-headed

Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground and worshiped. And he said, “Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.” In all this Job did not sin or charge God with wrong. (Job 1:20-22 ESV). I find myself returning to Job often. I suppose that’s because I have come to appreciate it more and more the older I get. In our reading today we find Job naked and bald-headed in grief and suffering. Sounds familiar, doesn’t it? I often tell folks that if nothing bad has ever happened to them, just hang around a while and it will. Tragedy is a part of our human existence in this sinful world. However, the tragedy is not the real issue; it is how we react to the tragedy that becomes a defining moment. Usually we find ourselves on one of two paths: either we will have our faith strengthened, turning to God for comfort; or, we will become angry at God, turning away from Him. Someone has said, hardships in life either will make you better or bitter. That’s often true. Character is not made in the moment of crisis; that takes place throughout our lives. It is true that during a crisis we are able to put our character to the test. In the case of Job, we see him being exactly how God said he was: "a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil" (cf. Job 1:8). Some people have told me they thought I must have a great deal of faith to have handled all the physical issues over the last twenty years. Truthfully, it really has seemed to be much of a challenge. I have seen many others with a far greater challenge. But, I can say I have found my reaction to be one of common sense. After all, where else am I going to turn? I can turn to the empty promises of the world or the One who actually can support me at times like those. He is the One who promised to give me what I need. The Bible records a time when many people turned away from following Jesus. So Jesus turned to the disciples and asked, "Do you also want to go away?" Peter said, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life . . ." (cf. John 6:68). Loosely paraphrased it could read: "Lord we don't always get You. But this much we know. You are the One, and we will keep following you." This is one of the good things that can come out of crisis and suffering. You turn to God with dependence like you have never had before. This has the result of gaining a faith that produces patience and longsuffering. It is a faith that points us to the great glory awaiting all of God’s children. It gives us a hope that can never disappoint us. That’s where Job turned; that’s where I want to turn. How about you?

Storms and Life

On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him. And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?” And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?” (Mark 4:35-41 ESV). Some of the places hit last week with the tornados in Texas are very familiar to me. Van, Texas is in east Texas, not far from two of the cities I pastored in. In fact, I have preached at First Baptist Van on several occasions where they are presently open as an emergency shelter. Remembering those wonderful people, I recalled to our reading today. It is the story of a storm the disciples were caught in while sailing across the Sea of Galilee. As they were making their way across, a huge storm came out of nowhere, which was a common occurrence on this large freshwater lake. The seasoned sailors were terrified as hurricane force winds hit and the boat filled with water. Despite the bad weather, Jesus managed to sleep through it. But the disciples could no longer contain themselves. So they woke up Jesus, asking him if he cared about their dire situation. They were saying, essentially, "Lord, are you even aware of what we are facing right now?" Jesus woke up and calmed the storm; but then dealt with them too. He asked them, "Why are you such timid, fearful ones?" Jesus was saying, "Haven't you learned anything in the time you have spent with me?" Remember, Jesus said, "Let's cross over to the other side!" He did not say, "Let's go drown in the middle of the Sea of Galilee!" He did not promise smooth sailing, but He did promise a safe passage. Listen, it's better to be in a storm with Jesus than anywhere else without Him. I have often said the safest place is in the hand of our Father, regardless of what’s going on around us. Just ask Shadrach, Meschach, and Abednego as they walked through the fiery furnace; or ask Daniel in a lion's den; or ask Peter in chains singing in a prison; or even Paul, who finds himself shipwrecked. All of them would testify to the safety of being with Jesus in the boat, even if it is sailing through a fierce storm. You may be in one of those storms now. Sit tight. Jesus knows and will bring you through it safe and sound!

Coaches and Referees

Be at peace among yourselves. And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil. (1 Thessalonians 5:13-22 ESV). Over the weekend the soccer team I help coach was scheduled to play a game against a team coached by an individual who has a history of being rather unsportsmanlike in his victories. This was the third game we faced them of the season. His team won the first one, we won the second. Kyle was not going to be able to be there and I had the team alone. I was a little concerned. I wanted to put the kids in a position to win. I had mentioned the game on FaceBook and here’s one of the responses I got from a good friend in Texas: “Try not to get kicked out of the game. Can we all just agree that you know more than the refs ever will so there's no reason to get upset when they make a wrong call.” Well let me update the status a bit before I go further. We did win the game, and I did not get into any trouble at all. Even Mary said I was a “model coach.” Perhaps that a little bit of a stretch, but she did say I did good. Truthfully that was the only thing I should have done! Anything less would have been wrong at so many different levels. I find it is amazing how we can rationalize sin in our own lives. We have little double standards that we develop thinking that what is acceptable for us isn't acceptable for anyone else. Regardless of how clear the Scripture might be, we still seem to to figure out a way to think it’s not wrong when we do it. After all, I ought to be able to yell at the referee, I know more… right? Wrong! Looking into the Scripture for clarity and then praying for the strength of will to do as God desires is always a better way. Some might say that the Scripture isn’t always as clear as we need. Today’s reading seems to indicate otherwise. It is very clear. Can there ever be a time when being “at peace” with one another is a bad thing? Will there ever be a time when God would tell us that repaying evil for evil is to be preferred in our relationships with others. Yet, these are the things we are tempted to think as acceptable. Perhaps you’re faced with some decision today concerning another. Take this Scripture and use it as your guide in decision making. You won’t go far off the mark!

The Family - Pt 3

Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you. (Exodus 20:12 ESV). It is easy to merely skip over this commandment when we read it in the Old Testament. However, when we realize that God distilled all of his desire for our behavior into just ten statements, we ought to pay close attention. It is clear in describing the value of family. Let me mention five things that can be seen in our reading today. 1. First, family is the core for discovering your values. It is in the family setting that we discover the things that are really valuable to us. By the time that your child is a teen, their identification with a set of values is set and a direction for their life is determined. What we see done in our family had much to do with this direction. Values are really taught in the home. 2. Second, a family is where we learn what a healthy, positive relationship looks like. We learn how to interact with one another, how to treat each other, we learn how or how not to express affection for one another. Parents should realize that we are teaching our children how to be husbands and wives that value one another and ultimately their children by what we do relationally to one another. 3. Third, family is where a person learns about authority. It is in the home where we teach most effectively how to relate to authority once they leave home. There are many authority figures in our lives: coaches, teachers, government officials, pastors, and ultimately God; we learn best how to relate to all of these through the home environment. 4. Fourth, family is where we learn our self-worth. We literally see ourselves through the eyes of our parents, brothers and our sisters. So the way we are treated in the home, good or bad, shapes us. It shapes the way we see ourselves. If we were accepted, encouraged, praised, if we were ignored, criticized, belittled, all of that shapes us and we determine our worth and value as a human being. 5. Fifth, family is where we learn about faith. Most children leave home with a very similar faith of that of their parents. So if our parents modeled a genuine faith in God in the home, there is a good chance by the time the child leaves, or shortly after they leave, they have a genuine faith in their lives. Not always, not 100%, but at some point, they are going to come back to that. Home is literally a training ground for relationships, not only with one another, but with God. How’s your family doing? It is never too late, as long as we have breath within us, to make our family what God desires it to be.

The Family - Pt 2

“Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband. (Ephesians 5:31-33 ESV). Happy Mother’s Day! When Paul summarizes is teaching concerning the family in our reading today, he quotes this wonderful principle given to Moses at the beginning of creation. When God created Even for Adam, he told Moses that there are three basic principles for a successful marriage. This first is to leave your father and mother. Of course, the Scripture is not telling us that we are to disregard our parents in order to marry. In fact, there are many examples throughout the Bible of adult children caring for their parents. Jesus did so with his dying words to the Apostle John. The key here is in focus. Remember, when God told Adam and Eve this principle they had no father or mother! He was anticipating the temptation to forget the establishment of a new home, honoring the old and living in the new. “Home is where the heart is” becomes a reality when we make this shift. Too many adult children marry and still retain submissiveness to their parents. That does not honor them; nor does it establish a new home. The second is to hold fast to one another. I like this one best; and, it is the easiest to do. Being the easiest, it is the first one forgotten. The word used means to “epoxy” yourselves together. I do a lot of woodworking. When you glue two pieces together correctly the bond is stronger than the original wood. You glue yourself to one another in the family by relationships that trust and honor regardless of performance. I am not excusing the failures that often come to individuals; however, I am also not excusing the refusal to restore and move forward. It is rare that a relationship cannot be restored. The reason so many are not is that we give up too soon. Glue yourself to your spouse and children. That makes it possible. The third is to become one flesh. So many have misinterpreted this to mean “intimacy.” It is so much more than that. It is the melding together of people to be one. This is one mind, one spirit, one body united against all. It is a family committed to following the will of God regardless of the turns the journey take. We must all make it our priority to come home! That home is found in the heart and mind of our heavenly Father. Call your mom if you can today. See them if you can. Above all, love them in spite of their behaviors. After all, God loves us because of who we are. Not because of what we do!

The Family - Pt 1

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.” Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. (Ephesians 6:1-4 ESV). Tomorrow is Mother’s Day. It is a special day of the year for many families. This year is a bit unusual in that we have Faith and Logan while their parents, Kyle and Brandy, are away. That began my thinking about family. Most of you know I am an admirer of former President George H. W. Bush. A few years ago, someone asked the former president, "What is your greatest accomplishment in life?" I thought that was an interesting question to ask someone like him, who has quite a long list of achievements. After all, he was the U. S. Ambassador to China, the director of the CIA, the Vice-President for two terms under President Reagan, and then, of course, the President of the United States himself. That is not to mention, of course, that one of his sons, George W. Bush, was the President of the United States also, while another, Jeb Bush, was the governor of Florida, and now a presumptive candidate for president in the 2016 elections. I would have expected him to point to the accomplishments of his children or to his own success. Yet here was his answer: "My children still come home to see me." There is a man who has his priorities in order. As a pastor for over forty-five years, I have visited people who are coming to the end of their lives. It is easy to see what really matters to them. It almost always comes back to faith and family. When our lives are over, it is not going to matter how many business deals you made, how many investments you have, or how many things you've accumulated. When it is all said and done, it will come down to the basic values of faith and family. In the next few days we’ll examine a few things about family that may remind us of the importance of our commitment to one another. Tragically, so many today are abandoning their families to chase after something they rationalize as more of a priority. We must renew our commitment to our spouses and children. We cannot even for a moment consider turning our backs on them. This is the only way they may consider “coming home” to us.

Flee at Once

But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it—the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. (Romans 3:21-25 ESV). When Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, author of the Sherlock Holmes stories, wanted to play a practical joke on 12 of his friends, he sent a note to each of them that simply read, "Flee at once. All is discovered." Within 24 hours, all 12 friends had left the country. That is what you call a guilty conscience! Guilt comes in all shapes and sizes; however, theirs must have been very large and unresolved. Sometimes I think we could use a little more guilt in our culture. I watch a good deal of news from several sources, though I confess I stick to those of the media that would fall on the conservative side of both ethics and politics. Lately the news has been reporting on the extent to which freedom of speech should be taken. Even within conservative circles there is widespread disagreement as to how much truth is appropriate. What I have found is that truth also comes in all shapes and sizes. Our problem has always been in determining what is truth? The Scripture solves this dilemma for us. Guilt helps us know this truth. The same good that comes from the warning system in our bodies called pain. If you step on a piece of glass, your body sends a warning signal: "Stop! Don't go any further!" In the same way, God has installed a warning system called guilt into our souls, and we experience it when we understand the truth of God. Just as pain tells us there is a physical problem that must be dealt with or the body will suffer, guilt tells us something is wrong spiritually and needs to be confronted and cleansed. The Apostle Paul makes a sweeping statement when he declares we have all sinned. It ought to cause us to feel the guilt of our attitude and behavior, yet we dismiss it because we don’t see it as truth. Spend a moment before you rush off to the next task on your list of things to do today and think about how much sin is still lurking in your life, waiting for a moment when it can erupt. It may be a small thing, but it can quickly erupt into full scale failure. The only answer to this condition is the relationship we enjoy through the grace of God in Christ. You don’t need to flee at once; going to Jesus will be all that you need.

The End of the Journey

“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going.” Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:1-6 ESV). Yesterday I wrote a little about the journey of life and our need to pray and read the Scripture in our perseverance. We are kept by God, but we also need to keep our love for Him. Today I return to one of my favorite passages as I read the following story: A missionary couple who had served for many years in Africa were returning to the United States. Leaving Africa with broken health and no pension, they felt defeated, discouraged, and afraid. As it turned out, President Teddy Roosevelt was traveling on the same ship. Of course, it caused a great commotion as everyone tried to catch a glimpse of the president, who was returning from a hunting expedition. The missionary commented to his wife, "Something is wrong. Why should we, who have given our lives in service to the Lord all these years in Africa, come back and not receive any fanfare or attention? And this man, who has done nothing more than just go on a hunting trip, is the center of attention. It just doesn't seem right." When the ship arrived, a brass band played and the mayor welcomed the president. The missionary was so discouraged. "It isn't fair," he told his wife. "Why have we not received any attention or adulation for what we have done? God is not treating us fairly." She said, "Honey, why don't you just go tell that to the Lord?" A little bit later, he was smiling. His wife said, "You look different. What happened?" He said, "Well, I told the Lord how bitter I was that the president received this tremendous homecoming, while no one greeted us when we returned home. Then it seemed as though the Lord put His hand on my shoulder and said, 'Son, you are not home yet.' " God has a wonderful home he is preparing for us. He sees all those things you do for Him, and He will bless you. But those are not the focus of our Father. He desires that we get home. For some of us, that journey takes longer and is more difficult than for others. When I begin to feel like I haven’t really been given the best in life, I simply need to remember I’m not home yet. The end of the journey has been written in the heart of my heavenly Father. Whatever the path looks like to get there won’t matter at all when I see his open arms welcoming me home. Enjoy your walk through life. It really is a very short stroll compared to eternity with Him!

Kept

But you must remember, beloved, the predictions of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. They said to you, “In the last time there will be scoffers, following their own ungodly passions.” It is these who cause divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit. But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life. And have mercy on those who doubt; save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh. (Jude 1:17-23 ESV). Sometimes I’m exactly sure about something. I think I know, but a little bit of doubt goes a long way. There have been times when I have been faced with options that seem to be equally good. I often wondered how to determine the precise will of God. While these kinds of doubts are not as serious as others, it does still shake me a bit. As I read today’s passage I was reminded that there is an answer to the doubts that come into our minds from time to time, whether they concern major or minor decisions in our lives. Jude simply says we should keep ourselves in the love of God. Some would cite the first verse and say that it is not our responsibility to “keep” ourselves in the love of God. While I certainly agree that God’s grace does keep us for all eternity, there is a part we play in the journey that makes our path much more tolerable. It is true that we don't keep ourselves saved, but we can help keep ourselves safe. God's love is unconditional. And fortunately for us, Jesus Christ loves, preserves, and intercedes for us before the Father. But we can do things that will get us out of harmony with His love. That's why we are reminded to keep ourselves in the love of God, which means that we are to keep away from all that is unlike Him. We are to keep away from any influence that would violate God's love and bring sorrow to His heart. We are loved by God, and He will protect His investment. For example, if you own an inexpensive pair of sunglasses, you may not be all that concerned about where they are. But if you have a more expensive pair, then you will tend to know their whereabouts. Or, if you went to a crowded mall with your children, you wouldn't just forget about them. Instead, you would keep your eye on them, because you want to protect what is dear to you. In the same way, we are preserved, we are protected, and we are being kept by the power of God. But we need to keep ourselves in a place where He can actively show His love to us. We need to keep ourselves in the love of God. The best way to maintain that kind of relationship is through both prayer and Bible study. We talk to Him and He talks to us. It renews our relationship and helps make the decisions easier to make!

White Cushions and Muddy Paws

If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. (1 John 1:8-10 ESV). We have a gray couch with different color cushions on it. There are three colors of cushions, white, gold, and maroon. While that sounds rather odd, they go very well together. Our problem is that our dog can come in with muddy paws from time to time. He is a terrier and does enjoy catching the moles in our yard! It is quite a sight to see him begin to dog furiously, stick his nose in the hole, and all of a sudden a little black object is thrown into the air and caught again before it hits the ground. While I don’t mind him ridding the yard of these pesky critters, it does make for dirty paws! When the dog comes inside, it is usually at a full run. He dashes through the back door and immediately runs to the couch, jumping on the cushions. I know that doesn’t represent very good training on my part; however, I would have you remember he is a terrier! The white cushions always seem to get dirtier than the others. However, if you look closely, you’ll see that they simply show the dirt more than the darker colors. Stains and dirt are just more noticeable against a white background. This causes me to think of the common belief among some who say they really don’t sin that much since they have become Christians. The truth is we are still sinners and need to recognize the need for confession daily. This confession doesn’t change the fact that we were forgiven in Christ; it does put us in a position to recognize the work of the Holy Spirit in our continued growth in Christ. So whether we think we need it, we still need to pray, "Forgive me my sins." Our reading today is very clear: If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. The more you have grown spiritually, the more aware you will become of your own sin. Against the “white” background of the holiness and perfection of Christ, it is very easy to see the muddy paw prints of life. A couple married for 15 years began having more than usual disagreements. They wanted to make their marriage work and agreed on an idea the wife had. For one month they planned to drop a slip in a "Fault" box. The boxes would provide a place to let the other know about daily irritations. The wife was diligent in her efforts and approach: "leaving the jelly top off the jar," "wet towels on the shower floor," "dirty socks not in hamper," on and on until the end of the month. After dinner, at the end of the month, they exchanged boxes. The husband reflected on what he had done wrong. Then the wife opened her box and began reading. They were all the same, the message on each slip was, "I love you!" Confess your sins to Him. His response is “I love you!”

Fig Trees and Tennessee Winters

Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end. Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates. Outside are the dogs and sorcerers and the sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood. I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star. (Revelation 22:12-16 ESV). When we moved into our home a few years ago I had enough room to plant some fruit trees and berry vines. We have peaches, apples, blueberries, wild raspberries, and figs. I know that is quite an eclectic collection, but it seemed to be what I wanted to grow at the time. Everything is doing very well except the figs. Perhaps it is due in part to the variety of figs I have planted, although I was very careful to select varieties that could survive this winter zone. I did exactly as instructed, planting them on the south side of the house to give them some shelter from the harsh cold winds in January and February. So far they have not done as well as I had hoped they would. They haven’t died, but they die back to the ground every year. Then amazingly they sprout from the root and grow three to four feet and do put on a few figs. This isn’t anything like I remember when I was growing up in Galveston, Texas. We had two fig trees in our backyard that were nearly twenty feet tall and covered at least that much ground space. We had all the fresh figs we could possibly want! I fondly remember going out back with a paper bag and picking the ripe figs for my grandmother to make some Italian confection. The yellow jacket stings were well worth the reward of her fig cookies and breads. As I look at my fig trees today, they have once again died above ground and are sprouting from the root. It reminded me of our reading today. Jesus is called the “root and the descendant of David.” It is another one of the conundrums of Scripture. How can something be both a root and a shoot from the root at the same time? Only with the combination of the divine and human nature in Jesus is it possible. And, in that truth we find the greatest of hopes. Like my fig tree, we will always have life as we are connected to the root. Since Jesus is indeed the Root of David we will always have life. And, again like my fig, as long as we draw on that life, we will also produce fruit. Regardless of the harshness of winter, the root lives. And, it understands that harsh winter wind. Jesus is coming soon. Rest in the Root of David and know he cares for you. He will produce fruit in its season!

I Don't Like that Answer

I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life. And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him. (1 John 5:13-15 ESV). There are times when I get news that I don’t particularly like. I was in a big box DIY store not long ago and needed a piece of glass cut. The width was 9½” and the length was 38”. I went to the associate and gave him the measurements and was promptly informed that would be impossible. I did ask, “Why?” He informed me they didn’t have any glass that long. Well, I didn’t like that answer at all! Sometimes that’s really what we say to God when we feel like he hasn’t answered our prayers. When people say that God never answers their prayers, what they are usually saying is they prayed and didn't like the answer. “No” is as much of an answer as “yes.” So if you have prayed for something and God said no, don't say that God didn't answer your prayers. It is more accurate to say that you didn't like the answer God gave you. The primary objective of prayer is to align your will with God's will. This is the impact of our reading today. Jesus taught His disciples to pray, "Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven" (cf. Luke 11:2). True praying is not overcoming God's reluctance; it is laying hold of His willingness. Prayer is not getting your will in heaven; it is getting God's will on earth. When you have lived for awhile, you begin to understand that God knows more than you do. And you even will thank God for unanswered prayers. You will thank God that He said no to you at an earlier time, because you will realize, as you look back, that you didn't know what you were asking for at the time. The goal is to pray according to God's will. And nothing lies outside the reach of prayer except that which lies outside of the will of God. Once while Francis of Assisi was hoeing his garden, he was asked, "What would you do if you were suddenly told you would die at sunset today?" He replied, "I would finish hoeing my garden." I believe we would all be better simply by understanding that God holds the future. If the answer is “no” it must be for our good. That is His will for us. As hard as it is to imagine, those answers work together for our good too! Trust in the Lord to answer you perfectly in all things. Keep praying. You don’t need to pray “right;” he will always answer “right.”

Breaking the Point of the Spear

The following night the Lord stood by him and said, “Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome.” (Acts 23:11 ESV). Our reading today recounts the experience of the apostle Paul when he was in a Roman dungeon for his faithfulness to the gospel. Jesus was revealing to the great apostle that he was more than aware of his situation. Just because he was in a prison didn't mean that God had lost track of him. There is a story of a minister who came to visit John Bunyan, the minister who wrote Pilgrim's Progress, in prison. He told Bunyan, "Friend, the Lord sent me to you, and I have been seeking for you in half the prisons in England." "No, that cannot be," Bunyan said. "For if the Lord had sent you to me, you would have come here at once, for He knows I have been here for years." Jesus is there with us in our "prisons," as well. For some people, it is a literal jail cell they are in because they have broken the law. Yet, as they have asked for God's forgiveness, Jesus is with them there in that prison cell. Maybe you are in a different kind of prison right now, the prison of a hospital bed. You would love to get up and just walk out, but you can't. Even so, Jesus is there in that hospital room, convalescent home, or room in their home, saying, "Be courageous. You are not alone, and I am fully aware of your suffering." Perhaps it is a prison cell of mourning, because of the loss of a loved one through death. Whatever or wherever your prison is, Jesus is there with you now. Jesus also knows what lies ahead. That is why He came to Paul in this hour of need, because He knew he would need this special touch. God reveals to us as much as we need to know, when we need to know it. Not necessarily more and certainly not less, but what we need to know. Your troubles, though unexpected, did not come as a surprise to God. I like the following quote from C.H. Spurgeon: The Lord knows all about your troubles before they come to you; He anticipates them by His tender foresight. Before Satan can draw the bow, the preserver of men will put His beloved beyond the reach of the arrow. Before the weapon is forged in the furnace, and prepared on the anvil, He knows how to provide us with armor of proof which shall blunt the edge of the sword and break the point of the spear. Take courage! He knows and has already made the way clear for your ultimate victory!

Loving Others

There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. We love because he first loved us. If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. (1 John 4:18-20 ESV). I wish that I knew why so many strangers feel a need to talk to me. Most of the time it is not even the slightest inconvenience. However, every once in a while I just want to be left alone. On this one occasion I was standing in front of a “Mary store” while she was inside shopping. We were in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee at the Five Oaks Outlet Mall. That’s one of her favorites. An older man saw me checking my phone. I was looking at some of the posted notes for this year’s football season for Texas A&M. He came up to me and asked, “What’s the stock market doing today?” Believe me, the last thing I wanted to talk about was the rise or fall of the stock market. And, honestly, when I looked at him, I thought, “Really. He wants to know about the stock market.” He was dressed in old clothes, some of his teeth were missing and the ones left were yellowed from cigarettes. In fact, he had a cigarette hanging precariously from his lips as he spoke. I was polite and told him I was looking a football notes from Texas A&M. Surely that would put him off. But, he persisted. He proceeded to tell me his life’s story. Some of it was filled with sadness; other parts were cause for rejoicing. He was in Pigeon Forge with his family whom he had not seen in years. He had an eight year old granddaughter he had never met before this trip. And, ultimately I was able to share a bit about myself with him. When I told him I was a preacher, the conversation really began! He was real. He had no pretensions, no conceit, and no desire to be anything more than he was. You got the raw, beaten down man. And, sadly, I would never have spoken to the guy on my own if he hadn’t walked up to me to ask about the stock market. His life was a mess until recently. He had wandered into a rescue center and heard about Jesus. I was able to tell him a lot more. Our reading today encourages us to do that. It’s funny how I’ve never really needed to go looking for people to love. God puts them all around me. Some don’t look like much on the outside; but, God puts them there for us to reach out to that don’t fit our ideal image of people we want to be around. They could reek of smoke, have few teeth, or even champion political views we don’t like. It’s enough to make us squirm. But there’s one key here that we cannot forget: He loves them. Jesus touched the diseased, dirty, and destitute. We can’t let being uncomfortable prevent us from sharing that love.